China imposes tariffs of more than 80 per cent on Australian barley farmers

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China has slapped punitive tariffs of more than 80 per cent on barley imports from Australia as more than 110 countries backed a push for an international coronavirus inquiry.

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham indicated Australia may appeal the imposition of a 73.6 per cent anti-dumping tariff and a 6.9 per cent anti-subsidy tariff slapped on all Australian barley from Tuesday.

“Australia is deeply disappointed with China’s decision to impose duties on Australian barley,” he said in a statement.

“We reject the basis of this decision and will be assessing the details of the findings while we consider the next steps.

“We reserve all rights to appeal this matter further and are confident that Australian farmers are among the most productive in the world, who operate without government subsidy of prices.”

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced the tariffs late on Monday after completing a 16-month investigation into an anti-dumping complaint.

“The investigating authority has ruled that there was dumping of imported barley from Australia and the domestic industry suffered substantial damage,” a statement on the ministry’s website said.

The tariffs are a huge blow to Australia’s barley trade with China, which is understood to cover about half of all barley exports.

Barley producers are also deeply disappointed by the decision and rejected China’s claims of dumping.

They warned it would cost the grains industry and rural and regional economies $500 million a year in lost exports.